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Misbehaving Husbands (1940)

You can find more information regarding this film on its IMDb page.


This movie is part of the collection: Comedy Films

Production Company: PRC Pictures
Audio/Visual: sound, b&w

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Shane Crilly - - February 18, 2006
Subject: A deligtful period piece
Misbehaving Husbands

Misbehaving Husbands is a delightful period comedy that is well worth a look. Harry Langdon is Henry Butler, the owner of a department store about to have a big annual sale and it's all that he can think of. In fact, it's made him forget his wedding anniversary, This will, of course, lead to trouble, especially under the influence of his wife Effie's newly divorced friend. When a series of mishaps is misinterpreted by almost everyone concerned, a divorce is threatening in the Butler household. A shady divorce lawyer enters the picture and hell breaks loose.


What happens after this would be impossible today as this movie is rooted in its time as surely as a restoration comedy is in its time. Henry and Effie Butler's mores are set squarely in the 30's, but Langdon's picture of the work-a-holic store owner is convincing because he plays it straight. He walks through the story like an innocent and comes out the end just about as innocent, whereas his wife Effie (Betty Blythe) comes out a little wiser in the end. The allusions to Three's Company are a bit misleading. This is more like I Love Lucy minus the Spanish accent and the scenery chewing. It is definitely situation comedy. but Langdon makes it work with his deft portrayal of the bumbling but effective Henry.

This movie is too short to be a main feature and probably was then, but it must have been a great curtain raiser then. Now, it certainly rates an hour of our time.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - February 15, 2006
Subject: Where's Ralph Furley?
Sort of like an extended ThreeÂs Company sketch, except made in the 1930Âs, ÂMisbehaving Husbands stars Harry Langdon as an overworked oaf who forgets his anniversary and winds up working through the surprise party is wife has organized. WhatÂs worse, he gets caught in sillouhette with a department store mannequin by some town gossips who are on their way to the party. Soon, rumours spread like wildfire, and one complication leads to another until the wife wants a divorce!
This is all put together very nicely, thank you very much, and Harry Langdon does his befuddled Benny Goodman impersonation quite well. ThereÂs a few laughs here and there, but this is nothing extraordinary.

Reviewer: ERD - - November 11, 2005
Subject: Some comic moments
Harry Langdon is still very funny in this film.
Perhaps compared to present standards, "Misbehaving Husbands" is dated-but there are still some good scenes that will make you smile.

Reviewer: kareneliot - - November 10, 2005
Subject: simple, sweet, and sappy
cute movie. good use of an hour of your time on a rainy afternoon.

Reviewer: Jah Gussi - - March 10, 2005
Subject: gmm
gmm

Reviewer: cashel - - July 21, 2004
Subject: enjoyed
This film has Harry Langdon as lead actor and it was made in the last stage of his career. The glory days of the 1920,s were gone when he was a great silent comedian, ranking with Chaplin and Keaton.He as now appearing in low budget films, although he was a supporting actor n a major with Laurel and Hardy. He was still a fine character actor and I enjoyed this film. CAUTION do not download if you have NO interest in the above topics the actress,Betty Blythe(who plays the wife) was a silent film star and most importantly in the 1921 film "Queen of Sheba" It was a very expensive spectacle film but is now "lost"